Executive SummaryPakistan is one of the world's most arid countries. It is currently experiencing water stress and will soon face outright water scarcity. This situation has been caused in part by the country's recent history. In the 19th century, the Punjab desert literally 'bloomed' as the British used irrigation technology to create a huge network of canals sourced from the Indus river and its five main tributaries. This hydraulic economy was challenged by the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. The Indus surface irrigation system was severed and the irrigated land of Punjab disconnected from the life-giving waters of the Ravi, Sutlej and Beas tributaries that have their source in India.
Chapter 1The Process Followed: As part of its decision to integrate water-related issues into Country Assistance Strategies (CAS), the World Bank has prepared this Water CAS for inclusion in the Pakistan Country Assistance Strategy for the period 2006-2010. The process involved several related elements: discussions with officials of provincial and federal governments, including a consultation on institutional issues; consultations with stakeholders from the private sector, academia, NGOs, and professional associations; and the commissioning of several background papers by prominent Pakistani practitioners and policy analysts.
Chapter 2The Challenges and Achievements of the Past: Pakistan is an arid and water-stressed country that will likely face outright water scarcity in the future. This challenge stems in part from the region's history. The British built a network of canals in the Indus river valley to irrigate the desert of Punjab. The subsequent partition of India and Pakistan severed this surface irrigation system, creating new challenges for Pakistan. The irrigation system was re-plumbed with success but altering the natural run of the rivers caused grave ecological consequences.
Chapter 3The Challenges of the Present and the Necessary Responses: Pakistan is currently experiencing profound demographic and economic changes that have major implications for water management. The ecology of the region too is changing and will impact water resources. The core water issues facing Pakistan are: defining water rights and entitlements for both surface and ground water; creating trust and transparency in equitable water distribution; improving services; rationalizing water charges and increasing productivity; clearing the backlog of maintenance; modernizing existing infrastructure; and developing new infrastructure for storage, distribution and delivery.
Chapter 4What Needs to be Done: Allowing the private sector to participate in the delivery of water supply and irrigation services is recommended. The government should focus on the development and implementation of an integrated package of instruments (entitlements, pricing and regulation) that structures the relationships among water users so that water is used efficiently, and environmental and financial sustainability is assured. Investment in infrastructure related to water storage, flood control, sewage treatment, and other public goods is needed.
Chapter 5Principled Pragmatism and 'Rules For Reformers': It is clear that Pakistan has to soon change the ways in which it manages and develops its water resources. Reform proposals are best translated into practice by following a step-by-step, persistent process, which 'fits' with the local culture, people, and environment. This chapter reflects on the lessons of 'principled pragmatism' in water reform processes elsewhere, and from reform processes in other sectors in Pakistan. A reforming government would do well to keep these 'rules' (really suggestions) in mind.
Chapter 6The Evolving Role of the World Bank: This chapter reviews the history of the Bank's role in Pakistan's water sector. The overall conclusion is that water resources development and management in Pakistan in the next 40 years will be and must be by design substantially different from the past 40 years. An indicative Bank water investment program for Pakistan for the years 2006-2010 is described. Water-related lending to Pakistan for this period will likely be over $1 billion, a 10-fold increase from the 2000-2004 period.
Pakistan Water
Homepage
World Bank Program in Pakistan
Website maintained by the World Bank Office in Islamabad, a launching pad to all information on World Bank activities in the country (strategy, projects, publications, etc.)
Development Data for Pakistan
A wide range of social and economic measures on Pakistan, including links to the World Bank's most important online development databases.
Analysis and Research on Pakistan
Compilation of all the World Bank's publications on Pakistan, with 'search' options and links to analysis and research on other South Asian countries.
World Bank Program in South Asia
Launching pad to all information on World Bank activities in Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
RSS